As her friends look on 11 year-old Saide Heiner (left) looks into the mirror after having some eye glitter applied during her "glamour girl" birthday party at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids March 10, 2013.

Photo By Steve Faulisi/San Antonio Express-News

11 year-old Saide Heiner (left) has some make-up applied by stylist Ashta Ermis (right) as one of friends looks one during her "glamour girl" birthday party at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids March 10, 2013.

Photo By Steve Faulisi/San Antonio Express-News

As her friends look on 11 year-old Saide Heiner (middle) looks into the mirror after stylist Ashta Ermis (right) finished applying some make-up during her "glamour girl" birthday party at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids March 10, 2013

Photo By Steve Faulisi/San Antonio Express-News

11 year-old Saide Heiner(left) and one of her friends play Ring Around the Rosie as her other friends get made up during her "glamour girl" birthday party at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids March 10, 2013

Photo By Steve Faulisi/San Antonio Express-News

11 year-old Saide Heiner blows a kiss as she is introduced during a fashion show at her "glamour girl" birthday party at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids March 10, 2013

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Genna Dieges reacts to the sight of cookies during a birthday party for Liliana Jin Gomez at Cookie Party Time on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Eddie Frias and his daughter, Bryanna, participate in a birthday party at Artworks Art Studio on Saturday, March, 9, 2013.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Bryanna Frias displays her art during a birthday party at Artworks Art Studio on Saturday, March, 9, 2013.

Liliana Jin Gomez, 7, middle, watches as cookies are passed out to be decorated with frosting during her birthday party at Cookie Party Time on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Genna Dieges, left, and birthday girl Liliana Jin Gomez, 7, join other friends in a birthday party at Cookie Party Time on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Birthday girl Liliana Jin Gomez decorates her cookie with frosting during her party at Cookie Party Time on Saturday, March 9, 2013.

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Lambermont,
Location: 950 E. Grayson St.
Activity: Tea party and princess dress-up in Lambermont castle with a “Sugar Plum Fairy” hostess to entertain the children; includes cupcakes, juice served in tea cups and party favors.
Cost: $500 and up
More info: lambermontevents.com

On a recent Saturday at the bakery near Alamo Heights, daughter Liliana Jin Gomez and her friends decorated cookies with a puppy theme.

“I think the up-and-coming culinary arts buzz is what a lot of people are thinking now,” Gomez says. “This is a great opportunity to get that started.”

Across San Antonio, kids' birthday parties have evolved from musical chairs and pin the tail on the donkey to elaborate “diva” makeovers and science parties where kids make their own glow-in-the-dark slime.

At Saide Heiner's recent 11th birthday party at Sharkey's Cuts for Kids, she and her friends dressed up in “rock star” costumes and put on a fashion show.

“What was great for me was there was minimal I had to do,” says Saide's mom, Jenny Heiner. “They got to be together and dress up in great little outfits and feel like models and superstars.”

“It's a beautiful landscape,” she said as Jiovanni toddled around the wooded playground, a big Thomas the Tank Engine bow pinned to his shirt. “The kids get to play outside in the sun. It's more active.”

With that, here are a dozen ideas for children's birthday parties in San Antonio. Prices listed cover at least 10 and up to 30 guests. Some venues charge extra for additional guests. Unless otherwise indicated, all are BYOC (bring your own cake), although some will provide cake or other upgrades at an additional cost.

Activity: Tea party and princess dress-up in Lambermont castle with a “Sugar Plum Fairy” hostess to entertain the children; includes cupcakes, juice served in teacups and party favors

Cost: $500 and up

More info: lambermont

events.com

Landa Branch Library

Location: 233 Bushnell

Activity: Two playground areas (one for younger and one for older children); half-covered terrace with old-style columns and tile floor overlooking the gardens can be rented; the conference room/patio of the San Antonio Public Library Foundation and the cabin/fountain yard area also can be rented.

Cost: $40 per hour to rent library terrace; $300 and up to rent grounds/pavilion; $175 and up for San Antonio Public Library Foundation areas